AFSCME’s Saunders on union approval reaching 65 percent, a 17-year high
AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the new Gallup poll results showing yet another year-over-year increase in approval for labor unions to 65% – including nearly half of Republicans. This is the highest level of support in 17 years.
“Labor unions remain overwhelmingly popular because labor unions stand for the priorities of working families nationwide. During the worst public health crisis in a century, union members have been on the front lines of response and recovery efforts, and we have fought for federal aid to maintain the essential services that sustain our communities – everything from hospitals and schools to trash pickup and road maintenance. Our values are universal values, as we continue to advocate for expanded health care, retirement security, paid sick leave, worker safety, tax fairness and much more.“Unionism was front and center during the presidential primaries, with all Democratic candidates embracing federal legislation that would guarantee collective bargaining rights for public service workers. The Democratic ticket is steadfastly pro-labor – in announcing his candidacy for president last year, Joe Biden proudly called himself ‘a union man.’ With robust public approval providing the wind at our back, we will continue to organize so that all working people can enjoy higher wages, economic security and a better life.”